RESIDENT EVIL First Look Review: Zach Cregger Brings Survival Horror Back to the Big Screen
- More Horror
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Damian Hex, MoreHorror.com
Nothing makes this horrorhead’s heart beat faster than witnessing the translation of horror video games to the big screen. Although I have a soft spot for vampires, something primal draws me to zombies. One of the first zombie games I played as a kid was Resident Evil 2 (I know it wasn't part one; I’m sorry). Naturally, I rushed to watch every Resident Evil movie adaptation in theatres.
So how do you think I felt when I discovered that Zach Cregger (director of Weapons and Barbarian) would take on the eighth Resident Evil film? Just give me the T-Virus; honestly, I would happily visit Umbrella Corporation myself.
Reddit partnered with Resident Evil to host a special thirty-minute preview of the movie, and I had no idea what to expect. I promise this will be a spoiler-free review, or Nemesis can come hunt me down. The tension builds fast from the start. Although I prefer slow build-ups, this was an exception, as a quick build-up makes sense in this zombie world. You'll have brief moments to breathe between traumatic events, but they'll be short enough to keep you feeling on edge the entire time.
The movie balances horror and humor exceptionally well. Nothing feels too serious, and nothing veers into the realm of goofiness. The film delivers humor without being goofy, primarily due to the protagonist, Bryan (played by Austin Abrams). He masterfully delivers unintentional humor in the scariest situations. I’m not surprised that Austin fits into this film seamlessly, considering he has worked with Zach before; see Weapons. However, being comical comes at a cost, leaving you yelling at the screen for Bryan to lock TF in.
I’m going to be so real: if I were Bryan, working as a medical courier traveling from hospital to hospital in the middle of a winter storm, I would find a job flipping burgers. The responsibility of carrying precious cargo, facing Mother Nature’s wrath, and eventually encountering zombies just doesn't appeal to me. But thankfully, I don’t live in a world filled with viruses and evil corporations, right?
This brings me to another point about the film's overall style and how it compares to the video games. The film incorporates several video game elements. Think of it as cutscenes and gameplay, but in film format. As viewers, we discover things at the same time as Bryan, making the narrative unpredictable. We learn specific details, like how many bullets Bryan has left, allowing us to act as real-time inventory stats. We immerse ourselves in the world just as the main character does. Zach clearly expresses his love for the Resident Evil franchise.
The thirty-minute preview leaves me craving more…like a zombie yearning for brains, perhaps. I am hopeful that this movie will become one of the better video game-to-film adaptations. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention: Zach utilizes silence so effectively that the jump scares carry more weight. There’s no heavy reliance on a scary soundtrack. It felt like I was playing a horror video game alone in the dark while my parents slept. Resident Evil will hit theaters on September 18th. Get those tickets now, as Umbrella Corp is watching!
Damian Hex is a horror-themed performer, video game tester, and media personality. As a proud queer person of color, he uses his voice to amplify marginalized voices. You can find him at screenings, nightlife events, conventions, and ghoul gatherings.
When he is not outside striking terror into the hearts of innocents, you can catch him spreading the unholy word to audiences on Twitch. Speaking of Twitch, he has several favorite game titles, including Cult of the Lamb, Hollow Knight, Mortal Kombat, Parasite Eve, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Follow Damian on Instagram @damianhex
